Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2018 Mar;5(1):24-38.
doi: 10.1007/s40471-018-0138-z. Epub 2018 Feb 19.

An Update on the Global Epidemiology of Syphilis

Noah Kojima  1 , Jeffrey D Klausner  1   2
Affiliations

An Update on the Global Epidemiology of Syphilis

Noah Kojima et al. Curr Epidemiol Rep. 2018 Mar.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Syphilis continues to cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. While syphilis infection is easily identifiable and treatable, rates of syphilis infection continue to increase among select populations in high-income countries and remain at endemic levels in low- and middle-income counties.

Recent findings: World Health Organization recommended strategies have led to the dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and HIV in several countries, however outbreaks among select populations need to be adequately addressed.

Summary: Continued vigilance and investment is needed to address syphilis worldwide. The epidemiology of syphilis differs in high-income and low- and middle-income counties.

Keywords: STI; Treponema pallidum; epidemiology; syphilis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Noah Kojima and Jeffrey D. Klausner each declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Geographic distribution of syphilis prevalence at first antenatal care visit, 2015
Figure 2
Figure 2
a. Reported syphilis cases in China from 2005 to 2014. b. Reported syphilis cases in Europe from 2004 to 2014. c. Primary and secondary syphilis cases in the United States from 1956 to 2016.
Figure 2
Figure 2
a. Reported syphilis cases in China from 2005 to 2014. b. Reported syphilis cases in Europe from 2004 to 2014. c. Primary and secondary syphilis cases in the United States from 1956 to 2016.
Figure 2
Figure 2
a. Reported syphilis cases in China from 2005 to 2014. b. Reported syphilis cases in Europe from 2004 to 2014. c. Primary and secondary syphilis cases in the United States from 1956 to 2016.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Newman L, Rowley J, Vander Hoorn S, et al. Global Estimates of the Prevalence and Incidence of Four Curable Sexually Transmitted Infections in 2012 Based on Systematic Review and Global Reporting. PloS one. 2015;10(12):e0143304. A recent systematic review of the prevalence and incidence of STIs. - PMC - PubMed
    1. World Health Organization. Global Health Sector Strategy on Sexually Transmitted Infections 2016-2021. 2016 The WHO’s strategy for STI treatment. - PubMed
    1. World Health Organization. Report on global sexually transmitted infection surveillance 2015. 2015 WHO prevalence estimates and commentary.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Plan to Eliminate Syphilis from the United States. 2006
    1. World Health Organization. Investment case for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of syphilis: promoting better maternal and child health and stronger health systems. 2012 WHO’s strategy to address EMTCT of syphilis.

LinkOut - more resources